Delta level 2 is, in some ways, a whole new world for Hawke's Bay. Reporter Shea Jefferson asks locals what it will mean for them.
Nathan Speeden, 36, co-owner of Blackbird Goods, Hastings.
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"We're basically looking forward to doing what we need to do to survive – we have our store online too but it will be nice to have locals in our shops again and then eventually to get back to level 1 so we can have out-of-towners back in store. This is a step in that direction, we're glad to be getting a bit of normalcy back to be able to operate out of our physical stores."
Anna Lorck, 50, MP for Tukituki, Hastings.
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"I'm looking forward to meeting my physiotherapist Lachlan in person, whom I've got to know over the phone through weekly consults. I've got an appointment tomorrow so we can make sure I'm doing my exercises right for rebuilding my calf muscle, which I tore on the first day of lockdown. I'm also looking forward to being able to buy seedlings for the vegetable garden. Having turned 50 in lockdown a coffee with a couple of friends is also in the planning!"
Zack Makoare, 59, youth camp organiser, Heretaunga.
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"We just sold our house and we've been living out of a caravan waiting for our house to be built. I'm looking forward to being able to access building materials in level 2, but I think what I've realised is that actually, when it all adds up, it's not the material things that matter in these level changes, it's our wellbeing. I think the positive out of all of this is the time we've been given to be mindful, understand each other's struggles, and to help one another. This is the beginning of the new world that we're going to be living in and we're all going to have to adjust."
Mel Campbell, 40, Red Bridge Coffee owner, Tukituki Valley.
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"In level 2 everyone can come enjoy our garden area again, they'll be able to lounge on the lawn on a sunny day and enjoy the countryside. It will be a nice change to the pick up and go pace of level 3, to get to see more smiles while people relax and enjoy their coffee rather than watching them huddling on the other side of the road. Our staff have missed that visual customer contact, it's been hard to make do with the odd wave from a distance. It will be nice to see cyclist traffic again and people stopping in with their fur babies. We're looking forward to seeing them again, and Molly our dog is looking forward to catching up with all of her friends."
Sneeky, aka DJ Soph, 41, Common Room events manager, Napier.
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"We're looking forward to being open again, though now with table service under level 2 restrictions. The common room has a unique community of its own and we're looking forward to reconnecting with the team and the extended common room whānau. There are so many gigs in the pipeline that we don't want to cancel, so we're sticking to the rules and ensuring that this is a safe place for everyone, to come, hang out and feel welcome. There'll even be a couple of monthly events still going ahead at Spaceship, which is exciting."
